Bette sat there for hours holding Tinapraying that she could keep her promiseher promise to not let Tina die.She wondered about the virus, and exactly what it entailedso she finally got Tina to the couch and laid her down so that she could keep sleeping.she went over and turned her pc on and waited for it to load.then she typed in HIV VIRUS..after reading for hours and checking on Tina in-between, she couldnt believe that everything COULD get so bad.she knew about the virus, but she had no idea the extent of it.finally, she shut the computer down and went over to sit by Tina.she watched as her wife slept peacefully..then Bette broke down into tears.she grabbed the phone and went out by the pool.
Hello? answered Kit.
AwwKit and Bette sobbed loudly into the phone.
Whats wrong baby? Is Tina okay? Are you okay?
Im finebut Tina..
What?
Silence. Goddamit, answer me
She has the virus. said Bette almost in a whisper.
What? Thats all asked Kit
No Kit. I mean. THE VIRUS and she emphasized the words.
Kit sat quietly.. You mean, Tina has HIV?
Yyyes stumbled Bette over her words..
No, Bettethat isnt right.noshe couldnt..
She doesshe got it from Eric.we found out a while ago that he was positive.all of the tests have come up negative until the last one.
Get a second opinion.get more blood work done
No..KitI have to accept it..and so do youbut I havent told anyone else.I want to let Tina do that.but I needed someone to talk to..
Im glad that you did, baby sister.but I still think you need a second opinion.you know they could have gotten her mixed up with someone else
I dont know.I guess Ill mention that to her.
You take care of yourself and herand make sure to let me know if you need anything
I will. said Bette before she hung up .

Tina started to stir. Bette? she called but it was more like a whisper.
Bette heard Tina the second time she called, and ran to be by her side
You okay babe? asked Bette
yeaI just didnt know where you wereI thought you had left me here alone
I wouldnt do that and she pulled her into her arms I will never leave you alone..
After a few minutes of holding Tina, Bette spoke.. Maybe we should get a second opinion
A second opinion? Why?
because I think its a good idea?
No babeI cant go through being told that all over again..
But Tina, what if they got you mixed up with someone else?
And what if they didnt?.anyway, what are the chances of that? I mean, that was our regular doctornot some health department doctor.they dont do tests like that every minute of every day..so, there is now way for a mix up.
Tina.I dont think you are being reasonable..
I dont think I am being unreasonablefor not wanting to hear a doctor tell me that I am positive again
I just think that there may be a chance that you are not positive.
Why Bette? Because if I am, you dont want to be with me? You are afraid that you will get it too said Tina crying..
No, baby said Bette as she grabbed Tina by the arms. NoI am just hoping that this was all a mistake..or that its a bad dreamand we will wake up in a few minutes
Its not a bad dreamand we are awake.and I have this thing that I will never be able to take a drug to get rid of.Its with meforever.and I am just gonna get sick, and then sicker, and sicker until I die.
Nobabydont say that and Bette pulled Tina into her arms. Please dont say that. they both cried..
Tbc.